Greek Opposition accuses Government of mismanaging livestock disease crisis
The Communist Party of Greece has described the government’s handling of livestock diseases in Greece as “criminal,” placing responsibility on authorities for what it calls a failing strategy that has left many farmers in economic distress.
In a parliamentary question submitted by MP Vasilis Metaxas, the party raised concerns over several issues, including the underperformance of disinfection stations, severe understaffing in veterinary services, and what it describes as the government’s reliance on the doctrine of “individual responsibility” in managing the spread of animal diseases.
According to the statement, Greece is now entering the second year since the first cases of Sheep and Goat Pox were detected. The opposition argues that the government continues to follow management measures aligned with export interests and European protocols, which it claims are harming small-scale livestock farmers.
The party says thousands of families involved in livestock farming and animal feed production are facing economic hardship as a result of these policies. At the same time, it argues that banks and large export companies continue to benefit financially from the current system.
KKE also linked the issue to the broader framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, suggesting that the government is using the crisis to accelerate policies aimed at concentrating agricultural production in fewer hands.
Beyond sheep and goat pox, the party pointed to the spread of Bluetongue and warned about the possible arrival of Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease, claiming that the state’s veterinary infrastructure is not prepared to manage such threats.
The opposition also criticized the government for assigning livestock reconstruction programs to banks rather than funding them directly through the state budget. According to KKE, farmers who lost animals due to disease should receive full state compensation instead of being pushed into additional debt.
The debate intensified after a recent assessment by the European Food Safety Authority, which reportedly supports vaccination as a tool to control sheep and goat pox. KKE argues that this finding contradicts the government’s earlier refusal to implement vaccination programs, which officials had previously presented as a scientific necessity.
The party is now demanding government clarification on whether vaccination policies will change and what measures will be taken to compensate affected farmers, rebuild livestock populations, and strengthen veterinary services across the country.
